Flexible pipe and method of manufacturing same using metal reinforced tape

1. A flexible pipe, comprising:

a tubular sheath defining a longitudinal passage for receiving a fluid;

a plurality of layers extending around the tubular sheath,

at least one of the layers comprising a preformed strip of flexible material and a plurality of metal fibers supported by the strip; and

at least one of the layers comprising a substantially flat metal strip.

2. The pipe of claim 1 wherein at least one of the layers comprises a strip of flexible material and a plurality of metal fibers bonded to a surface of the strip, and wherein at least one of the layers comprises a strip of flexible material and a plurality of metal fibers embedded in the strip.

3. The pipe of claim 1 wherein at least one of the layers is an inner layer that is helically wound on the sheath and wherein each additional layer is helically wound on its adjacent inner layer.

4. A flexible pipe, comprising:

a tubular sheath defining a longitudinal passage for receiving a fluid;

a first preformed tape helically wound around the sheath and comprising at least one strip of flexible material, and a plurality of metal fibers supported by the strip;

a second preformed tape helically wound around the first tape and comprising at least one strip of flexible material, and a plurality of metal fibers supported by the strip;

the fibers of at least one tape being bonded to its adjacent tape or sheath.

5. A flexible pipe, comprising:

a tubular sheath defining a longitudinal passage for receiving a fluid;

a first preformed tape helically wound around the sheath and comprising at least one strip of flexible material, and a plurality of metal fibers bonded to the surface of the strip; and

a second preformed tape helically wound around the first tape and comprising at least one strip of flexible material, and a plurality of metal fibers bonded to the surface of the latter strip.

6. A flexible pipe, comprising:

a tubular sheath defining a longitudinal passage for receiving a fluid;

a first preformed tape helically wound around the sheath and comprising at least one strip of flexible material, and a plurality of metal fibers bonded onto the strip and extending in the longitudinal direction of the strip; and

a second preformed tape helically wound around the first tape and comprising at least one strip of flexible material, and a plurality of metal fibers bonded onto the strip and extending in the longitudinal direction of the strip.

7. The pipe of claim 4 , 5 or 6 further comprising an outer sheath extending over the second tape.

8. The pipe of claim 5 or 6 wherein at least one tape is bonded to its adjacent tape or sheath.

9. The pipe of claim 6 wherein the fibers of at least one tape are bonded to a surface of their corresponding strip.

10. The pipe of claim 6 wherein the fibers of at least one tape are embedded in their corresponding strip.

11. The pipe of claim 6 wherein the fibers of each tape are bonded to their corresponding strip.

12. The pipe of claim 4 or 5 wherein the fibers of each tape extend in the longitudinal direction of their corresponding strip.

13. The pipe of claim 4 , 5 , or 6 wherein the second tape is wound in an opposite direction from that of the first tape.

14. The pipe of claim 4 , 5 , or 6 further comprising a protective coating on at least a portion of the fibers.

15. A method of manufacturing a flexible pipe, comprising:

providing a tubular inner sheath defining a longitudinal passage for receiving a conveyed fluid;

bonding a plurality of metal fibers to a surface of a strip of flexible material to form a tape; and

winding the tape around the sheath.

16. A method of manufacturing a flexible pipe, comprising:

providing a tubular inner sheath defining a longitudinal passage for receiving a conveyed fluid;

embedding a plurality of metal fibers in a strip of flexible material to form a tape, the step of embedding comprising:

pulling the fibers through an extruder; and

applying a molten plastic material to the fibers; and

winding the tape around the sheath.

17. The method of claim 15 or 16 wherein the tape is helically wound around the sheath.

18. The method of claim 15 or 16 further comprising the step of coating the fibers with a protective coating.

19. The method of claim 15 or 16 further comprising supporting an additional plurality of metal fibers by an additional strip of flexible material to form an additional tape, and winding the additional tape around the first-mentioned tape.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the additional tape is helically wound around the first-mentioned tape.

21. The method of claim 19 wherein the additional tape is wound in an opposite direction from that of the first-mentioned tape.

22. The method of claim 19 further comprising providing an outer sheath over the additional tape.

23. A method of manufacturing a flexible pipe, comprising:

providing a tubular sheath defining a longitudinal passage containing a conveyed fluid;

coating a first, substantially flat tape with a metal;

coating a second, substantially flat tape with a metal;

helically winding the first tape around the sheath; and

helically winding the second tape around the first metallic tape.

24. The method of claim 23 further comprising supporting an additional plurality of metal fibers by an additional strip of flexible material to form an additional tape, and winding the additional tape around the second tape.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein the additional tape is helically wound around the second tape.

26. The method of claim 24 wherein the additional tape is wound in an opposite direction from that of the second tape.

27. The method of claim 24 further comprising providing an outer sheath over the additional tape.